Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran is granted specially adapted housing due to multiple service-connected disabilities, including the loss or use of the left lower extremity and residuals of organic disease/injury affecting balance and propulsion. The issue of a special home adaptation grant is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was granted, with a rating of 50% effective from February 27, 2012.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is at least in equipoise with the evidence, and therefore reasonable doubt must be resolved in favor of the Veteran. Entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, but the Board has decided to remand the case for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is at least as likely as not caused by noise exposure during his active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there was no established continuity of symptoms after discharge. The VA examiner opined that it is less likely than not that the Veteran's hearing loss is due to military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by his military service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during service or within one year thereafter. The VA examiner found no nexus between current hearing loss and tinnitus and active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not attributable to service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or other causative factors.

The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis is considered service-connected, with the Board finding that it was incurred in service. The bilateral hearing loss disability claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need to obtain and associate all outstanding VA treatment records, specifically including the May 28, 2014 audiological examination results.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service or his service-connected epilepsy. The most probative evidence indicates that the current condition does not have a direct link to either.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a higher initial evaluation for this disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and his peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was not incurred in or caused by active military service. His skin disability, hypertension, and sleep apnea were also not supported by evidence showing they were related to his service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and dermatitis of the face, groin, stomach, and mid-section are found to be related to service. The right ankle disability is not currently diagnosed or linked to service.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues on appeal, including those seeking service connection for various conditions and disabilities. The Board does not have jurisdiction to further consider these matters.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be due to service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the new evidence submitted did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for the above issues, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss.